Training Camp: Arkansas Golden Falcons

Oops, looks like I skipped the Falcons earlier on, so let's go back and see what this franchise is up to this year. The Falcons missed the playoffs last year, but look like a good bet to return this year.

Positional battles: The Falcons have a whopping 11 starters in camp this spring. Johan Santana and Cliff Lee are locks to win jobs and first round pick Ricky Nolasco will probably take the third. After that, it's wide open. Jair Jurrjens has a jump on the position with his brilliant spring (3-0, 0.42 in 3 starts). Andy Sonnanstine was protected by the team, so he might have a heads up on the others as well.

Ivan Rodriguez and Yadier Molina have split time behind the plate and it looks like that might be the way the Falcons will go when the season opens. Infield positions seem pretty set, with the Lance Berkman/Justin Morneau loser at first base moving to DH. Jermaine Dye and Ryan Ludwick will probably take two of the three outfield slots, with Skip Schumaker and Rick Ankiel battling it out over the final one.

Pre-season surprises/disappointments: Schumaker has made his best case to take the starting job, hitting a team-high .371, with a .405 OBP and .571 slugging. Lance Berkman is leading the team in homers (7) and runs scored (21). David Wright leads in RBIs (20) and has a .999 OPS. The only really disappointing hitter is projected starting shortstop J. J. Hardy, who is hitting .229/.244/.325.

Other than Jurrjens, Joakim Soria (1.29, 7 saves) and Brad Lidge (2-0, 2.25), the pitching has been pretty shaky. First round pick Nolasco, in particular, has struggled (1-1, 7.50 in 2 starts).

Roster outlook: The Falcons have 33 players on the roster and only one ineligible - who they already announced will be cut. That leaves 2 more players. But the Falcons aren't done playing with the waiver wire just yet. Obviously several of the starters will be cut before Opening Day, but it's hard to project without knowing how many more claims the Falcons will make.